The beautiful country hailed 'better' than Thailand - much cheaper and with less tourists

Holidaymakers have claimed one hidden gem in South East Asia could be "better" than popular backpacking destination Thailand. Over 800,000 UK tourists flock to Thailand every year to marvel at popular destinations such as Phuket, Koh Samui and historical locations such as Ayutthaya.

Thailand is famous for its stunning beaches, Buddhist temples and its vibrant nightlife. However, tourists have claimed that the Philippines could be a better choice for those after a slightly quieter and more relaxing break. The Philippines is an archipelago made up of over 7,000 small islands clustered into three major groups.

Online blog 'Island Hopping in the Phillipines' is among those to claim the country was "so much better than Thailand". After living in the country for a decade, the bloggers claimed that Thailand was a better party spot for younger backpackers.

But, the experts stressed that the Philippines was likely to score higher for those heading to Asia for different reasons.

The blogger posted: "For families and romantic couples seeking peace away from the loud tourist crowd and an appreciation of nature, or if you are ready to settle down and retire somewhere with bountiful little [critters] running around you, the Philippines is definitely for you.

"After leaving Thailand, I made my way around SE Asia for a while, through Malaysia, Indonesia and Bali, but once I arrived to the Philippines I knew I found my home for good."

From the UK, heading to the Philippines is a slightly longer trip than Thailand, with flights taking around 15 and a half hours compared to around 13 hours. However, flight costs are similar with return flights for both trips likely to set tourists back around £500.

Reddit users also suggested the Philippines had its benefits, with travellers suggesting that the world famous beaches, cheap prices and friendly citizens stood out.

@Adobongmanowk posted: "Thailand has far better food (street food, midrange restaurants, fine dining), infrastructure, transportation, and a richer & more distinct culture. Malls are also more diverse in aesthetic & offerings compared to the PH. The Philippines has better beaches, and I guess friendlier people (by a hair)."

@Flying-Calamansi said: "Overall, the Philippines are much cheaper , I easily spend 30% less with the same lifestyle . People are more genuine and very accessible . Visas are a breeze."

@Shattered65 remarked: "The people are wonderful, when you get smiles in the Philippines they are genuine, unlike Thailand where the smile is the face people use for all things. The people in the Philippines love to laugh and have a good time. Of course language is easier as there is always someone that speaks English and most people can understand you."